2020 challenges idealism

Real Change
A different New Year’s resolution

By Rabbi Olivier BenHaim | December 30, 2020

There are several New Years in the Jewish calendar. In Torah, the biblical New Year coincided with the month of Nisan, of Passover, which begins toward the end of March with the start of spring around the vernal equinox. Rosh HaShanah — literally “Head of the Year” — became the Jewish religious New Year from rabbinic tradition some 2,000 years ago, connected to the fall harvest celebration around the autumnal equinox. Marking a new year at the start of spring or fall makes sense. Celebrating it at either one of the two solstices would also make sense. ...
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Real Change
Trump’s Space Force beware. Cthulhu hates Renaissance architecture

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 30, 2020

We got the tunnel replacement for the viaduct because West Seattle and Ballard wanted to drive back and forth between each other. Now West Seattle wants aerial cable cars to get to and from the International District. Since I live in the International District, I’m naturally concerned. Where will all the West Seattleites go when they debark? Please let it not be any of my favorite restaurants. I’m looking at wait times for tables when the pandemic settles down. ...
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Real Change
Changemaking | ‘Community feedback requested’

By Camilla Walter and Tiffani McCoy for Real Change Advocacy | December 30, 2020

The Seattle Police Department last week asked Seattlites to respond to revised policies. The department is calling for “community feedback.”

They apparently missed the feedback offered by months of people filling the streets in protest of unchecked police violence. From those protesting the murders of Black people by police, like Manuel Ellis, Charleena Lyles and Breonna Taylor, to name just a few.

They apparently missed the feedback from Decriminalize Seattle and King County Equity Now, offering clear and direct avenues for change. ...
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Real Change
In my own words: Justice for Herbert Hightower Jr.

By Castill Hightower | December 30, 2020

2004 was one of the hardest years my family ever faced. That September, we lost my brother, Herbert Hightower Jr., and our lives instantly changed. He was tragically killed by Seattle police just feet from our home while experiencing a mental health crisis. I remember waking up to chaos and thinking I was still sleeping, that the sirens weren’t real and my mother’s grief wasn’t real. ...
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Real Change
If you’re going to bet on outcomes that really matter to you, learn the concept “hedge”

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 23, 2020

I didn’t think I’d be able to say this by now, with the pandemic and the ongoing post-election drama, but I’m starting to feel safe enough: Merry Christmas, and goodbye Bill Barr. ...
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Real Change
Ending a lost year

By Oscar Rosales Castañeda | December 23, 2020

The month draws to a close, and a year that denied us a summer and so many other annual events we take for granted is coming to its unceremonious conclusion. I reflected with several lifelong, college friends and came to realize it has been a difficult year for many. There is no yearend retrospective that will give this year its proper send-off. To be honest, I am eagerly anticipating a new year that offers fewer “lifetime” events that have been shoehorned into a very traumatic 12 months. ...
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Real Change
Out there, despite the quarantine and weather

By Camilla Walter | December 23, 2020

I know it’s a cliche at this point, but — wow, this has been a difficult year. Through it all, I am so grateful to be a part of this community of vendors, volunteers, readers and staff.

This is a resilient team that truly inspires me. The Vendor Program staff have continued case management, launched a grocery and hygiene center and distributed cash cards to make up for lost vendor income. The newsroom has kept publishing the quality journalism we rely on. Advocacy won funding for public sinks. And so much more. ...
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Real Change
Getting out or rocking out, a bit

By Michelle Galluzzo | December 16, 2020

Winter events with optimal physical distancing

Dec. 1 – Jan. 14

Lusio Lights Pioneer Square

Lusio and Alliance for Pioneer Square: Seattle; 4:30 p.m.–12 a.m., free, all ages

tinyurl.com/y3nv8hy5 ...
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Real Change
Why do we even have mayors, anyway? We don’t want them to do nothing and we don’t want them to do what they do

By Dr. Wes Browning | December 16, 2020

Back at the end of September, I predicted that if the outcome of the election was such that the Supreme Court was called on to weigh in, they wouldn’t intervene. They’d leave it to the states. I implied there might be two justices who’d back a coup for Trump, but the other seven had no interest in such things. Well, then Amy Coney Barrett got on the court, so maybe three justices would do something crazy. But in the first draft of this column last week, I correctly guessed that the court would shut down the Texas lawsuit. ...
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Real Change
2020 challenges idealism

By Jill Mullins | December 16, 2020

As we approach the end of the year, the stark reality of this moment challenges my idealism. As I write this, every state in the U.S. has an out-of-control coronavirus spread and death toll.

In Washington, for the week ending Dec. 6, 2020, we lost more than double the number of lives than at the height of prior surges. The devastating loss shows no sign of slowing. ...
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